Roy has another setback

It was a fairly newsy Thursday over at Target Center. J.J. Barea reiterated his belief that the team needs to get tougher, and just about everybody on the team agreed. Coach Rick Adelman talked about the need for more patience on defense and a better, more team-oriented approach on offense.

But the biggest news of the day really came from Brandon Roy and Ricky Rubio.

First, Roy:

--Roy said he had another setback in his quest to return to action over the weekend. It happened Saturday – the day after what he said was a very, very good workout on Friday – when he felt a tweak in his chronically sore right knee.

“I felt I was getting close to being able to play,” he said. “And (I was) just starting to pick up my workouts. I didn’t actually bump anybody, just made a move, and kind of tweaked it. Had a setback.”

There is no question Roy is frustrated about his attempts at getting back on the court. A few weeks ago president of basketball operations David Kahn said a new treatment approach would be used on Roy. It appears that new approach is a knee brace designed to take pressure off the most sensitive part of his right knee.

But Roy said it has been a difficult thing to get used to. As his doctor predicted, Roy experienced hamstring pain soon after donning it, and he has had to work through that, too.

“I still don’t have a timetable,” he said. “Just trying to fight through it and get back on the court. … I am able to work out. But we’re trying to get a new schedule where we don’t pound day to day. Maybe I’ll work hard on Monday, then go lighter on Tuesday, to see if that will get me closer to being able to play games, and get into shape to where I can’t practice as much, but I can play some games.”

Then Roy was asked if he is optimistic about his being able to return this year.

“That’s a hard one,” he said. “There are moments when I don’t know if it will happen again. And then I’ll start working out, building and I get to a place where I have a great workout. Friday I worked out great, and Saturday there was a setback. So I’m disappointed right now. But if it settles down, mentally I think I can start building my confidence to hopefully get back out there.”

And now Rubio:

Rubio is good friends with Lakers forward Pau Gasol, who is going through a difficult season with the Los Angeles Lakers – the Wolves’ opponent Friday at Target Center.

Gasol missed eight games earlier in the season with knee tendonitis. More recently he missed five games with a concussion. Upon his return he has been used mainly off the bench. In the Lakers’ victory over New Orleans on Tuesday Gasol did not play in the fourth quarter, and expressed his displeasure about it afterwards. Gasol, 32, is averaging a career-low 12.8 points per game.

Today Rubio was asked if Gasol was being treated fairly.

“I don’t’ think so,” Rubio said. “He proved in the league that he is one of the best. He can pass, he can shoot, he can rebound. He can do a lot of things. I think if you use him in the right way, he is a top player in this league. If they don’t want him, we are more than welcome to get him.”

At this Rubio laughed. But it’s no secret that Gasol’s name has been linked to trade rumors all season.

“He’s been with the Lakers (five-plus) seasons,” Rubio said. “And he’s been a starter since day one. This year – it seems like It’s been the last two years – it seems they don’t want him. But actually they need him, because he’s a great player. He can do a lot of things. He’s had issues with his knees, and it’s been a lot of years without resting for him. But he’s a veteran, he knows how to play. He’s a great player.”

Rubio said he’s in regular contact with Gasol, as he is with other Spanish players playing in the NBA. “It’s hard when you’re hearing things, rumors that you’re going to be traded,” Rubio said. “But he’s a professional. He’s been playing a long time, and he’s going to keep doing what he’s been doing.”

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Jerry Zgoda missed the entire Kevin Garnett era, but he's back covering the Timberwolves after working the beat for their first four seasons two decades ago. In between, he covered a bit of everything: Gopher men's and women's basketball and NCAA athletics, golf, outdoor recreation, sports media and a little Vikings and Twins.